Appeals, Post-Conviction, and Federal Criminal Defense Litigation
Jonathan Laurans successfully lobbied the Kansas Supreme Court to vacate his client’s felony conviction for refusing to take a breathalyzer test. In 2014, Mr. Laurans was one of the first three lawyers in Kansas who filed appeals to challenge the constitutionality of Kansas’ “breath test refusal” statute, Kansas Statute 8-1025. This case was held over while two others, Ryce and Nece, moved forward first. Once the “breath test refusal” law was declared unconstitutional, the Supreme Court summarily reversed Mr. Longmire’s conviction.
Representing a mortgage banking company, Jonathan Laurans won dismissal of all claims frivolously filed by borrower who had stayed in house for five years without paying mortgage, and who then tried counter-suing to stave off foreclosure.
In 2013, Mr. Laurans convinced a federal judge to overturn a faulty mortgage fraud conviction within only weeks of the jury’s verdict, saving the client from a costly and lengthy appeal.
Jonathan Laurans succeeded in overturning a 10 year prison sentence and dissolved a 17 million dollar ($17,000,000.00) criminal forfeiture/fine. By pursuing his client’s habeas corpus rights, Mr. Laurans was able to protect his client’s freedom and finances, and negotiate a sentence of 60 months and a $300,000.00 forfeiture/fine.
Jonathan Laurans successfully defended his client from a half-million dollar ($500,000.00) frivolous contractual non-payment claim. In addition, Mr. Laurans was awarded his attorney fees from both the trial and appellate courts.
Jonathan Laurans successfully overturned a previous conviction where the client was accused of “obstruction of official duty”. He convinced the Kansas Court of Appeals that the arresting officer’s duties were not obstructed by the actions of his client, thus refining the definition of “obstruction” under Kansas law.
Mr. Laurans has won several post-conviction cases, two of which overturned sentences in excess of 25 years in Kansas and Oklahoma federal courts and has won the set-aside of millions of dollars assessed against clients in criminal forfeiture orders.
Jonathan Laurans successfully overturned a client’s convictions for racketeering and drug distribution. All asset forfeitures (in excess of $400,000.00) were set aside because Mr. Laurans was able to prove that DEA agents doctored search warrant applications. Thus, the ensuing searches and seizures were all illegal.
United States v. Michael Berry, 12-CR-20083 (D. Kan. 2013)
The client, Mr. Berry, was facing 235 months in prison and a 17 million dollar ($17,000,000.00) criminal forfeiture/fine. Mr. Laurans fought this excessive punishment, and successfully lobbied for a sentence of 10 months in prison, with an approximate one-hundred and fifty thousand dollar ($150,000.00) forfeiture/fine.
Jonathan Laurans successfully fought for his client’s right to an expungement. The Court of Appeals reversed a trial court’s denial of expungement from a prior “unlawful sexual relations” conviction. On remand to the trial court, Mr. Laurans won an expungement order for his client.
Jonathan Laurans filed an extensive Kansas “1507” habeas corpus petition which, when granted, reduced his client’s 8 year prison sentence to 4 years.
Jonathan Laurans obtained the immediate release from prison of a grandfather wrongfully incarcerated after sentencing, who’d been convicted of inappropriately touching his granddaughter’s chest over her sweater. Originally sentenced to probation, the grandfather’s sentence was illegally altered by the judge with no due process, immediately incarcerating the grandfather for 15 years. Mr. Laurans fought to the Missouri Supreme Court and back to regain this man’s freedom, and has since prevailed in two cases where the State tried to send him back to prison.
In 1995, Jonathan Laurans won release for an inmate via a writ of habeas corpus, who would be the first inmate ever freed to receive a heart transplant. By proving this client’s imprisonment was based on a misapplication of drug-quantity sentencing tables, Mr. Laurans saved this man from further incarceration and a certain demise.
In 1994, Jonathan Laurans successfully won the release of the former Lieutenant Governor of Kansas from federal prison, where he had been serving time for tax evasion. Mr. Laurans was able to prove that the original conviction resulted in an excessive and unlawful punishment, by authorities not having taken into account the correct tax loss figures associated with their audit and investigation.
Every case is resolved according to its own facts and legal merit. Past performances in these cases does not guarantee results for future clients in their upcoming cases. These case results are for informational purposes only, as part of this advertisement.
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Jonathan Laurans believes that the best opportunity you will have to attain justice following an adverse result initially imposed in a trial court is to have an experienced appellate/ post-conviction attorney dig tirelessly into the record of a case in an effort to find the nuance which can be championed when arguing for a reversal and a new trial. Here, time is of the essence. Similarly, the best way to defend against Federal charges is to confront the matter and learn your options as early as possible. He is available to immediately begin building your defense.
Federal criminal cases are complex, and he will review the government’s case against you to identify any weaknesses in its case. Mr. Laurans is experienced in evaluating and calculating the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and how they pertain to your potential Federal case. Determining your “exposure” in Federal court is the starting point for all rational defense decisions you’ll be needing to make. Whether you are seeking to pursue an appeal or post-conviction matter, or are needing representation in a State or Federal trial court, deadlines in the law are always difficult to circumvent, so do not delay.
Do not hesitate. Call for an appointment today. (833) 421-5200 or send us an email.